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Florida car crash kills 7 children

LAKE BUTLER, Fla., Jan. 26 (UPI) -- A fiery collision between a car, school bus and tractor trailer near Lake Butler, Fla., has killed seven children and injured 11 others.

The accident occurred about 3:40 p.m. Wednesday as the school bus was stopped in the northbound lane, unloading passengers.

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The driver of the tractor-trailer, which was hauling bottled water, crashed into the rear of the car that was stopped behind the bus. Union County Sheriff Jerry Whitehead told the Gainesville Sun the car and tractor-trailer caught fire and the car was reduced to ashes, killing all seven of its occupants.

Burroughs said the occupants of the car ranged in age from 21 months to 15 years, and one of the teenagers was driving. While Florida law requires a minor driver with a learner's permit to be accompanied by an adult, he said there was no adult in the car.

Burroughs said evidence showed that the tractor-trailer did not brake before hitting the car. Early Thursday, no charges had been filed.

Three of the children taken to Shands at the University of Florida were in serious condition and two others were listed in fair condition.

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